Amazon Hit With Class Action Over Seafood Eco-Labels

The lawsuit, filed July 31 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, targets dozens of seafood products, including tuna and salmon sold under brands such as Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, StarKist, and Amazon's own 365 by Whole Foods Market label.

Plaintiffs Madeleine Rogow of Los Angeles and Adam Sorkin of Chicago allege that Amazon's use of labels like "dolphin safe," "responsibly sourced," "sustainable," "wild caught," and "MSC Certified Sustainable Seafood" led them and other consumers to believe the products had minimal impact on oceans and marine life. The complaint argues these claims are unsupported or misleading, noting that most commercial fishing vessels cannot be publicly tracked and some intentionally disable location transponders, making verification difficult. It also cites estimates that at least one-fifth of imported wild-caught seafood is not harvested through responsible or sustainable practices.

"Amazon nevertheless markets the greenwashed seafood products using broad sustainability messaging without providing disclosures necessary to prevent consumer deception," the complaint states.

The plaintiffs seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, and restitution for consumers nationwide, citing violations of Washington state's consumer protection laws. They claim they would not have purchased the seafood or would have paid less if Amazon had accurately represented its sustainability practices.

Amazon, headquartered in Seattle, has become the second-largest grocery retailer in the U.S., with more than $150 billion in gross sales in 2025, according to CEO Andy Jassy. The company has faced a steady stream of lawsuits over products sold through its marketplace, including third-party items. The lawsuit does not name the parent companies of Bumble Bee, Chicken of the Sea, or StarKist as defendants; those are Taiwan-based FCF, Thailand's Thai Union Group, and South Korea's Dongwon Industries, respectively.